Association between subclinical inflammation & fasting insulin in urban young adult north Indian males

• Published in: Indian journal of medical research (New Delhi, India : 1994) Vol. 124; no. 6; pp. 677 - 682
• Main Authors: Vikram, N K, Misra, Anoop, Pandey, R M, Dwivedi, Manjari, Luthra, Kalpana, Dhingra, Vibha, Talwar, K K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd 01.12.2006
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Body Mass Index; C-Reactive Protein - analysis; Fasting - blood; Humans; Inflammation - blood; Insulin - blood; Insulin Resistance; Male; Multivariate Analysis
• ISSN: 0971-5916

Elevated levels of c-reactive protein (CRP) are known to be associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in adults. A substantial prevalence of hyperinsulinaemia and elevated CRP levels have been shown in Indian young adults. We therefore studied the association of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) with fasting insulin and insulin resistance in urban adolescent and young adult males in north India. In this cross-sectional study 324 healthy males, 14-25 yr of age were selected randomly and their clinical and anthropometric profile [body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences, waist-to-hip circumference ratio (W-HR), and skinfold thickness at four sites], percentage of body fat (%BF) and biochemical (fasting blood glucose, lipoprotein profile, fasting insulin and hs-CRP) parameters were recorded. Insulin resistance was assessed by the homeostasis model of assessment (HOMA-IR). Fasting insulin and hs-CRP levels correlated significantly with BMI, waist circumference, and triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness. Fasting insulin also correlated with %BF, and hs- CRP correlated with W-HR. No correlation was observed between hs-CRP and fasting insulin levels or insulin resistance. In multiple logistic regression analysis different independent risk factors for hyperinsulinaemia and elevated hs-CRP levels were observed; hypercholesterolaemia, overweight and high subscapular skinfold thickness for the former, and high triceps skinfold thickness for the latter. Lack of correlation between hs-CRP and surrogate markers of insulin resistance and different risk factors for each, in young Indian males are unique observations of our study. Further studies on a larger sample of both genders need to be done to confirm these findings.